Bent Furler

[rgranger]

So I need some help finding a part...

I have a bent Harken Roller Furler. I'm not 100% sure but I think it is an MKIV model. This is a new-2-me boat and I've been fixing the hull since Christmas. Today I finally got a good look at the rigging. I was told by the P.O. that the boat had been run into an overhead line... and you can see the bend in this pic.

It looks like only one piece of the extruded aluminum foil was affected so I should be able to just replace that one piece. Anyone know of a dealer or a good website I can go to and order this piece? I tried the Harken webpage but no luck.

r

 

[Jan11]

Call Harken support 262-691-3320.

 

[Sailvayu]

You may be able to straighten it out if the slot for the luff tape is not bent. I have saved may sections by carefully bending them back. Other than that yes Harken can help you out with a new section but they are proud of their stuff $$.

 

[kenn]

I got my hands on a bent-up UltraFurl last year. and yes, some of the extrusions were easy to make acceptably straight again.

To the OP - that bend doesn't look too bad at all. Take the aluminum foil all apart and try to carefully straighten individual pieces.

As mentioned, a Harken dealer can get you replacement extrusions. Try to avoid having long things shipped; it seems that anything long and bendable will always get bent in shipping.

 

[Ron-Anne]

I used to straighten out EMT and other tubing by filling them with sand first, in your case you will have to wrap tape around the extrusion then fill her up and carefully go about straightening. Good luck and do let us know how it worked out.

 

[rgranger]

Thanks guys... I'll try straightening it first... then make the call if things go bad. The piece that is bent is 7' long.

I've also had a hard time getting the thing apart. I need to get the forestay out but one of the bolts in the drum won't back out (the ferule also turns with the bolt)... I'm going to try some creative super gluing and crayon work tomorrow... (fingers crossed).

 

[finding41]

You should be able to bend it back nicely. I had a bend in my mast that I and a buddy bent back between two wooden posts. Work at it gently all along the bend and not against something hard like metal or a vice. Take it slow. Find a couple close wood posts or a nice tree that wont be hurt by using it. You can protect the tree by wrapping it with a folded towel.

 

[rgranger]

You should be able to bend it back nicely. I had a bend in my mast that I and a buddy bent back between two wooden posts. Work at it gently all along the bend and not against something hard like metal or a vice. Take it slow. Find a couple close wood posts or a nice tree that wont be hurt by using it. You can protect the tree by wrapping it with a folded towel.

Nice work Findings.... I'll give it a try. Yes my mast is bent also. Not as severe as the furler. I have already identified two trees and I was going to attache a come-a-long to the hitch of my truck and work it out slow (like you suggested).

I'll post results.

 

[finding41]

Nice work Findings.... I'll give it a try. Yes my mast is bent also. Not as severe as the furler. I have already identified two trees and I was going to attache a come-a-long to the hitch of my truck and work it out slow (like you suggested).

I'll post results.

Don't use a come along on your mast!
Its way too soft and you want to "feel" it bending back into shape.
I had the help of a buddy just to hold the mast up at the post. That's it!
I bent it back with my body (I'm 195lb) holding it to my chest and pushing. Pushing only. Not pulling.
You will have to move it along the bend. Don't start in the middle and hope for the best. Start near the start of the bend. Work your way in form both ends of the bend.

Can you take a look at the top cap of your mast and let me know if there is a dent in the molded aluminum? Mine had a dent and scratch going from the top sown the mast. (A PO backed into something with it! Or something heavy fell from the sky!)

 

[rgranger]

Don't use a come along on your mast!
Its way too soft and you want to "feel" it bending back into shape.
I had the help of a buddy just to hold the mast up at the post. That's it!
I bent it back with my body (I'm 195lb) holding it to my chest and pushing. Pushing only. Not pulling.
You will have to move it along the bend. Don't start in the middle and hope for the best. Start near the start of the bend. Work your way in form both ends of the bend.

Can you take a look at the top cap of your mast and let me know if there is a dent in the molded aluminum? Mine had a dent and scratch going from the top sown the mast. (A PO backed into something with it! Or something heavy fell from the sky!)

Hey Findings. For the furler I used my hands. But I also had a nasty hook in the mast about 1/3 up from the base. Mast bend to port (not fore-aft like yours). I had to use a come-along. The mast on the Balboa is a LOT larger than the mast of a Mac. But I got it to work... the mast is mostly straight now and I only need a few pounds of pressure to pull it true. Thanks for the advice... you saved me a bundle.

r